The fundamental principle is that “the [good] deeds of the fathers are an omen for their descendants.” As the Ramban establishes at the beginning of Parashas Lech Lecha (Bereishis 12:6):
“I will teach you a principle by which you can understand all the upcoming narratives about Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. It is a significant matter that Chazal mentioned briefly, saying, ‘Whatever occurred to the forefathers is a sign for the sons.’ Therefore, the pesukim expand upon recounting the journeys... Even if one may think these details are superfluous, they are all meant to teach us about the future.”
We, too, can derive lessons for life from the simple understanding of the pesukim in this week‘s parashah. Although we have often emphasized that we cannot fully comprehend the deeds of the Avos, the Torah‘s purpose is to teach us, and no pasuk deviates from its straightforward meaning. Here, we learn about the profound bond between a father and his child, as the Torah testifies: And his father loves him—a deep and powerful love to the extent that his soul is bound with his soul, meaning the father‘s very life depended on him.
The tzaddikim have taught: How can I go back to my Father (in Heaven) if the boy is not with me? We are obligated to bring children and talmidim closer so that the boy will be with me, bound and connected to us with a loving and inseparable bond.
We must draw our precious children and talmidim closer with visible and tangible love so they feel with all their hearts that their parents and teachers deeply love them, genuinely desire their well-being, and are wholeheartedly committed to uplifting them to connect with our Father in Heaven.
As the penetrating teaching of the great defender and lover of Yisrael, Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, explains the pasuk (Shir Hashirim 1:7) Tell me that my soul love to mean: Express and declare to me, My soul loves (you)! Similarly, reveal and demonstrate your love for your beloved children with extraordinary affection and a heartfelt connection.
When children feel “the joy of Yisrael in their sons and daughters,” this genuine and sincere joy and love will instill immense inner strength within them. It will give them extraordinary energy to build their souls confidently, face challenges and struggles against the evil inclination, and walk the path of goodness and righteousness.
